Symbol6 [Video] [Update]

Posted on February 8th, 2009. Written by Arron.

Over the weekend I was given a copy of Gogogic’s Symbol6 (symbol6game.com) . You can forget the generic ‘match 3 in a row’ concept for this title. This my friends is unique, fast paced, frenzied mania..

[Update] As noted by one of our readers Jimi, Gogogic have followed our advice and lowered the price to £1.79!

Original Article:

Overview
I’d describe Symbol6 as “easy to learn but difficult to master”. Rotating a metal turntable by the use of touch, your aim is to match different coloured (and in some cases black and white) symbolized tiles with each other.

“We create games which are meant to be simple, but rewarding. Our focus is on casual games. We want to inject innovation into the industry, by providing the best waste-of-time money can buy.”

- Gogogic

Gameplay
Play is simple. The game is set out on a hexagonal board, with 7 playing pieces. Each piece is marked with a different symbol, and to start off at least, a different colour. Your aim is to move the tiles around the board to match and correspond with the incoming flying tiles. As level progress, game play becomes faster. Multiple tiles will start flying at you from all directions, and you’ll seen in the video above – that isn’t good for your fingers!

See it in Action:

‘Where were you?’ by Every Avenue. â„— 2008 Fearless Records.

Destructive Blocks
Throughout the game, and in the middle of keeping track of which tiles you should be moving, and that certain you just did, and now realise you really, really shouldn’t have, you’ll encounter destructive blocks. These cannot be matched, and in order to gain more points you must deflect them. To deflect the blocks simply rotate your device left or right. You’ll see on the top and bottom regions of your hexagonal turntable you have two metal grates. Simply deflect the blocks by turning these sides to the right positions.

If you fail to deflect one of these blocks, the whole playing board and order of your tiles will be disrupted, leaving you to figure out where your title just went, that you were just about to match up with the other incoming flying block.

On Screen
Describing the in-game layout, in the center of the screen is the turntable. Split into 7 sections, each filled with a tile. At the very top in a minimalist style you’ll find your current score you’ve racked up, and level your current on. Bottom center is your ‘Life’ meter. This will be affected by non or missed tile matches. It’s impacted so heavily, your literally looking at 4 slip-ups on your part, and it’s game over. On the right you’ll see a little dot. Hit this to pause the game immediately, at any time during game play.

Visuals and Sound
The overall feel of Symbol6 is vibrant, and highly polished. I really can’t fault it visually. Sound needs a little work. Especially the backing track. Although Gogogic hasn’t used loops, and the backing to the game is tolerable, from a user stand-point (and in my opinion) the backing track is slightly underwhelming for the fast-paced nature of this title.

Price
At $2.99 / £2.39, Symbol6 is affordable. We have to say that we have seen previously titles which are much more graphically-involved compared to Symbol6, but Gogogic say the game is meant to be what it is. To be honest we’d like to see this title dropped to £1.79, to make it even more appealing to a wider audience.

Overall
Symbol6 is a well designed puzzle based match-it game. Progressing through the game, frenzy will ensue. It’s fun, addicting and looks damn hot on-screen. If your the puzzler type, or just want to kill half an hour to an hour, we recommend you take a look at Symbol6. Right now.

Current Status: Recommended

Reviewed at: v1.0
Reviewed on Firmware: 2.2.1
Download size: 6.3MB
Released on: 04th February 2009
Retails for: £2.39/$2.99

Compatible with: iPod touch Gen 1& 2 / iPhone Classic / iPhone 3G